A long Twitter thread along with photos posted by the account Bayt Al Fann gives interesting insights into the market on Al-Mutanabbi Street. Named after the celebrated 10th-century poet Abul Tayeb al-Mutanabbi, the street has been a historic centre of bookselling in Baghdad. The poet was born under the Abbasid dynasty in what would become modern-day Iraq.
As the Indian Express reminded its readers, The street has been a refuge for writers of all faiths since at least the 8th century. Located near the old quarter of Baghdad, Al-Mutanabbi Street was the first book traders’ market in the Iraqi capital.
The street has been, since time immemorial, the historic heart and soul of the Baghdad literary and intellectual community.
Welcome to Al-Mutanabbi Street the ‘Book Market of Baghdad’, where books remain in the street at night because Iraqis say:“The reader does not steal and the thief does not read.”A thread on the rich heritage of the historic book market on Al-Mutanabbi Street… pic.twitter.com/Dvrnq8Z2JH— Bayt Al Fann (@BaytAlFann) December 23, 2022
As one Twitter user wrote; “Thank you for this beautiful thread! I grew up going to Al-Mutannabi street at least once a month to pick up some books and novels. Those street vendors were humble librarians! They don’t treat books as “commodities”, but rather as valuable legacy passed to the next generation.”
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